Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Chapter Five

Neville's Noble Gesture

"Oh, why won't he answer my letters? Where has he gone? Did Harry find out I was pregnant before he took off? Is that why he took off? Does Voldemort have him? Is he dead?" Ginny spoke to no one but herself, as she muttered countless scenarios while pacing throughout The Burrow.

"Now, Ginny dear, it doesn't help worrying yourself over Harry. We're ALL worried about him dear, and worry never makes any more sense of things. You have the baby to worry about," Molly contradicted herself.

"And besides, Ginny, when Harry returns- and mark my words, he WILL return- he'll want to know that you and that baby of his are well," Arthur Weasley piped in.

"Father, for the one millionth time, the baby is NOT Harry's."

"Oh, right, right. I keep forgetting. If you'd tell us who the father is- not to mention how you managed to have this happen- maybe it would be easier for me to remember!"

Just then, there was a knock at the Weasley's door. "Why, Neville Longbottom. It's so good to see you my dear. And how is your grandmother?" Molly graciously escorted Neville into the house with more than her usual amount of maternal fussing. Neville's loyalty to Harry and to her husband, coupled with the fact that he was for all intents an orphan as well, endeared Neville to her immensely. "What brings you all the way out here, my dear? And away from Hogwarts?"

"Well, I kind of, well, needed to, ah, wanted to speak to you and Mr. Weasley," Neville responded. "And right away. That is, as soon as I heard at school about Ginny's, you know, situation."

"Well, of course, dear. Whatever we can do for you, we would be happy to. But what can we do for you, dear?" Ginny curiously took off in a quick trot up the stairs to her bedroom, leaving the Weasley 'rents and Neville alone.

"I'd like to ask for Ginny's hand in marriage, of course." Arthur and Molly smiled indulgently at Neville, as if they'd just heard a child promise to buy them the moon for a gift.

"Well, of course you want to help, my dear. You're a sweet boy. Your grandmum's raised you well," Molly gushed.

"But my dear boy, as fond as we are of you, we couldn't let you take on this responsibility at this young age. Really, you are most kind and thoughtful, but it just wouldn't be right," determined Arthur.

"But, really sir. I think it would be the right thing to do. I've talked to Grams, and she agrees. Ginny and I would marry soon, then we'd live with her when we're out of Hogwarts," Neville explained.

Arthur shook his head, "no, my boy, no- it's absolutely out of the question. As generous as you and your grams are, we could not abide putting the burden on either of you. It's not an option, and that's the end of that."

Molly echoed her husband, "Please thank your grandmother for her thoughtfulness, but, no. We'll have no more discussion about this. You go on off back to Hogwarts where you belong, before you miss any more school," herding Neville out the door with a large chocolate brownie in his hand.

"What was all of that about?" Ginny asked as she skulked back down the stairs.

"Just some sweet and chivalrous notion of the Longbottom's, that's all," her father said.

"You'd think he was really the father," Molly piped in.

With a blank look on her face, Ginny replied, "He is."